Method and apparatus for making decorated boxes



METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING DEGORATED BOXES G R. IKREIDER, JR

Filed Jan. 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l BY v ATTORNEYS v NOV. 12, 1935. G, KREIDER JR 2,921,105

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING DECORATED BOXES Filed Jan. 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I WHSIH IH l n "w mummy 4 III "1 INVENTOR aw/m ' ATTORNEYS (iii/win? ffrzdzj; Jr

Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING DECORATED BOXES Gideon R. Kreider, Jr., Lebanon, Pa.

Application January 5,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to method and apparatus for making decorated boxes and more particularly'to box covers having raised decorative relief surfaces and designs thereon.

The novel box cover made by the method and apparatus herein disclosed comprises a box shell of any desired shape or contour. Prior to the application of the Wrap sheet to the box shell a shaped filling or padding is suitably fastened or glued at the proper location to the inside face of the wrapped sheet or to the outside face of the box cover. The position of the filling or padding on the box or wrap is gauged by suitable markings, printing or otherwise placed thereon. Other artistic eifects may be produced by using two or more fillings or paddings between the box bottom and the wrap sheet in which event one of the fillings or paddings may be secured to the box bottom and the other to the Wrap before the wrap is applied. If the cutout design is provided with an opening or openings therein, it is preferable to slit that portion of the Wrap which is located within the openings before applying the cutout design, if the wrap material is such that it cannot be stretched. If the wrap material will stretch when forced into the opening, slitting of the wrap may be dispensed with. The wrap sheet with the cutout design thereto attached is secured to the bottom of the box cover and the box cover wrapped by applying the side portion of the wrap sheet to the side walls of the box.

This invention comprehends method and apparatus for wrapping boxes having decorative relief surfaces and designs thereon automatically by means of a wrapping machine provided with block carries the block downwardly until the box I comes to rest on the lower pressure block in such a manner that the shaped design seats within the recess provided therein. Pressure is exerted on the box and wrap sheet by the upper form block and the lower pressure block to cause the glued wrap sheet and shaped design to securely 1934, Serial No. 705,316

adhere to the box body. The edges defining the design recess in the lower pressure block are reasonably sharp and distinct. The machine then operates to wipe the side Wall portions of the wrap into adhering contact with the side walls of the box.

Further compressive pressure is then applied to the box shaped design and wrap sheet to iron the wrap around the raised design so that the design will be neatly defined and will stand out clearly and distinctly. This additional compressive pressure may be applied by the wrapping machine or by a separate compression device. In any event the additional compressive pressure must be applied before the glue has set or dried out. i

If openings occur in the shaped design the wrap may be stretched by the lower pressure block sufficiently to glue the wrap to the box body and raised design within the opening. If the wrap material cannot be stretched to this extent, then the wrap sheet is suitably slit so that it can be expanded to line the opening.

A suitable seal or monogram may then be glued within the opening provided in the cutout design, covering the slit portion of the blank and in addition, giving the box an attractive decorative effect. A novelty box cover as thus assembled makes a most suitable cover for a gift box since the initial or initials of the recipient may be secured within the cutout design. The storekeeper may be provided with a supply of the letters or monograms and when the goods are packed within the box base the desired letter may be easily pasted into position on the box cover by the clerk. A minimum supply of box bases and box covers, therefore, need only be carried by the merchant to supply any desired initialed 'box. This novelty box cover may be economically made entirely by machine opera- 40,

tion.

An object of this invention is to provide an economical method for making decorated boxes particularly provided with raised designs thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide 5 a method for making decorated boxes rapidly and economically and substantially entirely by machine operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide apparatus which may be automatically operated to make boxes having raised designs thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus which may be easily manipulated and adjusted tomake novelty boxes and particularly 5g box covers having a variety of different raised designs thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a box cover having a raised design thereon which is economical to manufacture, attractive in appearance, strong and durable in construction and which is readily adaptable to accommodate a variety of marketing requirements.

Other objects of 'this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig.1 is a perspective view of the completed box cover carrying a raised design; a

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the wrap sheet prepared to receive the cutout design thereon;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the wrap sheet having the cutout design positioned thereon;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the box body positioned on the wrap sheet and cutout design, ready to be inserted in the wrapping machine;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the upper form block and lower pressure block of the wrapping machine, the upper form block having the box body telescoped thereon;

Fig. 6 is a side viewof the upper form block and lower pressure block of the wrapping machine as they appear at another stage of the wrapping operation;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the completed box cover taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 1;'

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the completed box cover, this view being taken on line 88 of Fig. l;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a box body having a shaped design applied to the bottom wall thereof prior to the wrapping operation;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a wrap sheet having a cutout design positioned thereon and ready to be applied to the box body as shown in Fig. 11 is a side view of the upper form block and lower pressure block of the wrapping machine, the upper form block having the box body,

; shaped designs and wrap sheet telescoped there- Fig. '12 is a side view of the upper form block and lower pressure block of the wrapping machine showing the box body, shaped designs and wrap sheet compressed therebetween;

used for wrapping a box having a shaped padded design associated therewith;

16 is a perspective view of a fully wrapped box having an artistically shaped body design on the top wall thereof; and a a Fig. 17 is a vertical cross sectional view through the lower pressure block having a blanket of soft resilient material placed thereover used in applying the second compressive pressure to the box.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing and specification.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the box cover construction may be formed from r a box blank comprising a bottom wall 6 and side 10 walls 7 secured together in set uprelationship by a tab or corner stay 8. Any form or shape of box desired may be used. The wrap sheet comprises a blank of paper or other sheet material suitably decorated and having a main portion I adapted to cover the bottom wall of the box cover and side wall portions 2 adapted to cover the side walls of the box. Suitable tabs j 3 are provided at the ends of certain of the side wall portions which overlap the adjacent side 3 walls of the box. Flaps H are provided on each of the side walls which fold inwardly insideof the box. Any suitable form of wrap sheet, however, may be provided to properly wrap the box.

A cutout'design 9 which may be cut from cardboard or other material of suitable thickness is also provided. The cutout design may be cut to any shape or form to provide the desired raised design on the box. The design monogram, shown in Figs. '1, 3, 7' and 8, for example, is of polygonal 3 form having an opening therein, but any desired shape, size or form of cutout design may be used; Where the cutout design is provided with a central opening, it is preferable to provide cuts 5 in the wrap sheet, which cuts fall within the 3 opening in the cutout design when the same is placed on the wrap sheet, as shown more particularly'in Fig. 3. Slits in the wrap may be unnecessary if the wrap material will stretchto properly line the opening. To place the design in the proper location, it is preferable to provide a margin line t on the wrap sheet within which the cutout design is placed.

In assembling the box the inside surface of the wrap sheet is preferably glued over its entire 4 area and the cutout design 9 then placed in its proper position within the margin line 4. The box body comprising the bottom wall 6 and side wall '5 is then properly located in position upon the wrap sheet, as shown in Fig. 4. The main portion i of the wrap sheet and the cutout design t, which has also been covered with glue, both adhere to the bottom wall 5 of the box. The box is then telescoped over the upper form block wrapping machine, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5.

The wrapping machine may be of any of the well known types in common use, but is provided with special pressure blocks and form blocks which will now be described. V

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the plunger 22 in the machine carries a lower pressure block 2| over which the box body is telescoped. An upper pressure block 28 is supported by the vertically moving rods 23 which form a part of the well know wrapping machine in common use. If necessary the upper pressure block 20 may be provided with resilient members 24 which are adapted to grip the sides I of the box to retain the same in telescoped position over the lower form block 2|. Y

The lower platform or pressure block 25 of the machine, which is supported on the vertically movable tube 25, is provided with a design recess 28 which is adapted to snugly receive the cutout design 9 and the wrapping sheet surrounding the same. During operation of the machine, the

plunger 22 carries the box mounted thereon downwardly and presses the same against the flat surface of the pressure block 25. The cutout design 9 and the surrounding wrap sheet is forced into the design recess 28, as shown more particularly in Fig. 6, so as to cause the wrap sheet and the cutout design to closely adhere to the box bottom. As the pressure block 25, sup porting the box and form block 2|, moves downwardly, the wiper portions 21 wipe the side wall portions 2 of the blank into adhering contact with the outside surface of the side walls I. Turn-in fingers 29 moved inwardly by the cam 30 operated by the operating rod 3! then turn the flap portions ll of the wrap inwardly over the top edges of the box side walls 1. When this operation has been performed, the turn-in fingers 29 are withdrawn and the upper form block 20 moved downwardly to fold the flap portio'ns H into adhering contact to the inside face of the side wall 1 of the box. The wrapped box is then ejected from the machine.

It will be noted that where an opening is provided in the cutout design 9, the slits 5 provided in the wrap sheet permit the wrap to be smoothly folded around the inside surface of the cutout design 9 so as to represent a raised monogram or design of finished appearance. A sheet l0 suitably decorated and out to the desired form and size may be then pasted or glued within the depressed portion of the cutout design so as to cover up the slits 5. The sheet l9 may be made of any desired material and may carry any form of design desired. By way of example, an initial or initials may be glued to the wrap sheet within the cutout design to provide an attractive gift box. Merchants may also find it convenient to provide their seal, insignia or trademark within the depressed portion of the design. Should a flat raised design be used, it is possible to print the monogram directly on to the Wrap sheet so that it falls upon the raised design portion.

There is shown in Fig. 13 a box cover having a plurality of raised designs shaped to bring out distinctive artistic efiects. In forming this type of box a cutout design 49 which may be formed of cardboard, padding or other material, is preferably secured by glue or other means to the bottom wall 6 of the box body. The smaller design or monogram 9 is in turn glued to the main portion I of the wrap sheet. The box body is then placed upon the wrap sheet which is provided with suitable markings or lines 6 which assist in locating the box body in proper position upon the wrap. When the shaped designs and wrap are thus applied to the bottom wall 6 of the box body, the box is telescoped over the upper form block 20 of the wrapping machine in the manner heretofore described and further illustrated in Fig. 11. As the upper form block comes to rest on the lower pressure block 25 the wrap is pressed into contact with and adheres to the raised designs 9 and 40 and the box bottom 6. This represents the pressure which is normally exerted in the ordinary wrapping operation.

It will be noted that the pressure block 25 is provided with margins which distinctly and sharply define the boundary of the design. It

is understood that the recesses or raised reliefs.

provided in the upper face of the pressure block 25, shown in Figs. 5, 6, Hand 12, may be ceives the secondary design 9 is provided with 10 an outer margin 45 and inner margin 46 which sharply and distinctly define the boundaries of the secondary design. Following the initial wrapping pressure exerted by the upper form block 20 and the lower form block 25 upon the box bottom and wrap sheet, a further and secondary compressive pressure is exerted by the upper form block 29 and the lower form block 25 which subjects the bottom wall 6 of the box,

the designs 49 and 9 and the wrap sheet portion I to a compressive pressure sufilcient to iron the wrap against the outer boundaries of the design so as to produce a wrapped box in which the boundaries of the raised designs are sharply and distinctly defined. Provided the recess margins 44, 45 and 46 provided in the lower pressure block 25 are sufliciently accurate and sharp, this additional increased pressure produces a decorative box having a sharply defined margin it around the raised design 40, a sharply defined margin b around the secondary raised design 9 and a sharply defined margin 0 within the opening provided in the raised design 9. The wrap and the adhering raised design should be well covered with a strong adhesive glue so that the sharp and distinct margins of the raised designs will be maintained after the box has been removed from the wrapping machine.

It has been found that the secondary compressive pressure may be best applied by a separate 4 press device after the box has been completely wrapped and removed from the wrapping machine. The press (Fig. 15) is provided with an upper form block 29 and a lower pressure block 25 suitably manipulated so as to produce the desired compressive pressure. The surface of the lower pressure block 25 may be suitably cut out or shaped to provide the desired design recess or design relief thereon. It is understood, however, that a suitable embossing counter or frame 50 may be used which carries the cutout design or relief thereon. The embossed counter or frame may be suitably secured to the top of the pressure block 25. It is sometimes advantageous to place a blanket 69 of sponge rubber or other resilient material over the lower pressure block 25, as shown in Fig. 17. When the resilient material 69 is subjected to pressure the blanket will expand where it is not confined by the embossed relief so as to press the wrap into all the surfaces of the design and thereby bringing out the design in great detail. It is understood that the wrapped box is placed in the secondary compression press immediately following the wrapping operation and before the glue has had an opportunity to harden or set.

Box covers having padded top walls of most artistic design may also be made by means of the method and apparatus as above described. In making a padded box cover, as illustrated in Fig. 16 for example, the padding material 50 shaped into the desired design is secured to the wrap or in certain instances to the box bottom or both. Following the initial pressure which normally secures the wrap to the box bottom,

' soft texture.

the secondary additional pressure is exerted. upon the upper form block 26 so as to produce the sharply defined margins at, b and 0 around the raised padded design. These sharp marginsas above described are obtained by providing distinct reasonably sharp edges around the design recess in the form block 25. g

The method and apparatus herein described is susceptible of a wide application in the formation of decorated boxes having relief designs thereon of innumerable configurations and shapes. The shaped designs may comprise shaped plates or sheets formed of cardboard, metal, fibre, wool, cloth, cotton, felt or floss, each of which will give the relief surface a distinctive feel and appearance. Where a relief design of unusual hardness isdesired, cardboard or even a metallic filler may be used. Boxes may be given soft padded effects by using paddingsof Any number of raised design elements may be used singly or in combination to give the desired relief effects. A shaped design of hard material may be combined with a filler of padded material so as to produce various artistic effects.

The box herein disclosed provides an attractive box cover for a gift box which may be economically used by merchants in the marketing of their goods. The wrapped box covers may be furnished Without monograms attached and the monogra'ms carrying the desired initials may be easily pasted to the raised design as needed and desired, and the box cover placed upon or telescoped over any desired box base. Box covers as thus made may i be used substantially without waste and a supply of the various monograms it, which can be inexpensively made, can be kept on hand. The box cover as thus made is attractive in appearance and greatly assists in the marketing of merchandise. The box can be made entirely by machine operation in the manner above described.

It is understood that the word box, as herein used, is intended to refer to a structure having side walls and a wall connecting the side walls. The term bottom wall is, therefore, meant to imply either what might be the bottom wall of a box base or the bottom or top wall of a box cover. It is understood that it is generally the box cover comprising side walls and a top wall which is to be decorated and which is then telescoped or seats upon the box base comprising side Walls and a bottom wall.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. The method of making decorated boxes which includes, providing a wrap sheet, positioning a cutout design between the wrap sheet and box bottom, securing the main portion of the wrap sheet to the box bottom, telescoping the box over a form block, pressing the bottom of the box and associated design and wrap sheet against a pressure block shaped to conform to the design contour, and securing the side wall portions of i the sheet to the side walls of the box.

2.'Apparatus for making boxes having raised designs on the bottom face thereof including,;-a pressure blockhaving a flat box supportingsur face, said supporting surface having a recessed portion shaped to conform and to snugly receive 6 theraised'design, and operative to shape the wrap sheet to neatlyconform thereto. 7

3. Apparatus for making boxes having'a raised design on the bottom thereof includingin combination, an upper form block adapted to be passed ll) interiorly into the box, and a pressure block having a flat box supporting surface having arecess therein shaped to conform and to snugly receive the raised design. a i

4. Apparatus for making boxes having a raised design on the bottom thereof including incombination, an upper form block adapted to'be'pas'sed interiorly into the box, a pressure block having a flat box supporting surface having a recess therein shaped to conform and to snugly receive the raised design, and means associated with said form block adapted to removably hold the box in telescoped position thereon. V a I 5. The method of making decorated boxes which includes, providing a wrap sheet, positioning one 25 or more cutout designs between the wrap sheet and box bottom, securing the main portion of the Wrap sheet to the box bottom, telescoping the box over 'a form block, pressing the bottom of the box and associated designs and wrap sheet against a 3'0 pressure block shaped to conform to the designed contour, securing the side wall portions of the sheet to the side walls of the box, and ironing the wrap by further pressure around the margins of the design so as to distinctly define the same. 6. Apparatus for making boxes having a raised design on the bottom thereof including in combination, an upper form block adapted to be passed interiorly into the box, a pressure block having a flat box supporting surface having a recess therein shaped to conform and to snugly receive the raised design, said pressure block having well defined margins surrounding the recess, and means for exerting pressure on said upper-form block sufficient to iron the wrap around the mar- 45 gins of the design so as to distinctly define the 7 same.

' 7. The method of making decorated boxes which includes, providing a wrap sheet, positioning a shaped design between the wrap and box bottom, 0. securing the main portion of the wrap sheet to the box bottom, securing the side wall portions of the sheet to the side walls of the box, and ironing the wrap by secondary compressive pressure around the margins of the design so as to dis- 5f; tinctly define the same. 1

8. Apparatus for making boxes having a raised design on the'bottom thereof including in combination, an upper form block adapted to passinteriorly into the box, a pressure block having-a 0- box supporting surface provided with designrelief therein shaped to conform to and receive the raised design, a resilient blanket positioned over said supporting surface, and means for exerting pressure on said upper form block sufficient to 5 iron the wrap around the margins of the design so as to distinctly define the same.

GIDEON R. KREIDER, J R, 

